The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-08-18
BY ACCIDENT.
How Mrs. Escott Was Cured OF
Her Selfish Sorrow.

Mrs. Escott sat alone in her room, by
/. .sunny south window, her hands lying
idly in her lap, her sombre eyes gazing
yacantly before her, as though the
great garden below with its wealth OF
shrubbery and flowers and the green
lawn beyond, possessed nothing to in
terest or charm her. She owned the
handsome stone house with its many
beautiful rooms, all handsomely fur
nished. the extensive orchard and the
fertile pasture and woodland beyond it.
She had very comfortable bank ac-
count, too. and did not spend half her
income. But she was not happy. Her
heart was empty, and consequently life
possessed little of interest for her. In
deed, she often asked herself why she
was permitted to live at all, finding as
she did the days SO long, so burdensome,
so full of bitterness and pain.
It had been different once, of course.
Far from this little town into which
she had come a stranger two years be-
fore this June day ON which my story
opens. she had once had happy home,
allowing husband, two noble sons. and
. fair, young daughter. Death had
robbed her of them all, and left her bit
ter, cold and desolate. She had left
the place where she had been so happy.
unable to bear it's painful associations
had bought this great stone house en-
closed by high brick wall, and had
shut herself away from every one she
had ever known, making no calls, re-
ceiying none, aud growing harder
colder and more bitter with every day
She had been to church only once
since she had taken up her abode ir
Brentwood. She had not liked the ser
mon on that occasion, and had though
the preacher tedious, and uncertain a.
to the theories he expounded. So sh'
had not gone again..
She saw the minister on the stree
now, as she sat by the south window
he was thin, stoop-shouldered man
With careworn face, and she felt NJ
interest in him whatever. When sh
heard her door-bell ring, a momen
after he passed out of sight. she fel
sure he had come to call upon her, ant
wondered impatiently if Margare
would let him in, or if she would hav
lne sense to tell him that her mistres
was getting ready to go to the city OF
business and therefore could not Sc
him.
She rose, and went to the door of he
foom, taking her bonnet from tn
wardrobe on her way. She could hea
nargaret's voice very distinctly frol
where she stood.
lnere's no use in your comm il
ma am ESQ it was not the minister
MIs. Escott don't give to no charitit
~ MaL II she was to give to one she
nave to give to all. an the bell woul
pe ringin' continual"
But if I could talk to Mrs. Esco
,or only a moment, lam sure she woul
9 Interested in this" replied
.oman's voice, clear and earnest. .'
y Tor the benefit of the factory chi
aren. We want to establish a readin,
,oOm Tor them. where An entertainir
,scture OF some sort can be given eve
sunday morning. The idea is to ke'
s'eM out OF the streets and low resort
auu 70 incite them to be cleanly al
uueriy. # Mrs. Escott would take ,
interest in it."
Mrs. Escott don't take NO intere
y .l,,, any thing, " interrupted the servar
- nave her orders that she amt
= worried about callers, an thou,
= De willin' to please you. ma am,
could. it would be as much as r
r1ce would be worth to let you in
= ner. Besides. she's gettin' rea
gO % the city by the eleven train. y
am very sorry" said the earn,
'olee, Il wish could reach her. S
.Oala be happier, think, if she to
8 active interest in outside matters